These small tweaks turn frozen convenience foods, from chili to pierogi, into star suppers.

By Lynn Andriani

"You Sure You Didn't Make This?" Chili

Depending on how ambitious you're feeling, frozen chili—like Kettle Cuisine Three Bean Chili and Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans, which are minimally processed—can taste impressively homemade. To start, heat the soup in a saucepan along with some frozen corn. Once it's hot, sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar on top. Step this up with some canned chopped tomatoes (the ones that are seasoned with olive oil and basil deliver more oomph than plain tomatoes) and serve the chili over Fritos. Super bonus points: Stir in a tablespoon of strong coffee—it's an instant punch of deep flavor—and top with deep-fried tortilla strips.